Managing Efflorescence on Concrete Pavers

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Congratulations! You have recently improved your property with strong, colorful, attractive interlocking concrete pavement. As a proud owner, you have invested in a long-lasting, durable, yet flexible pavement that adds value to your real estate. A truly beautiful yet practical pavement graces your property. If your project is just about to begin, you can anticipate enhancing your property with the best paving system for your money.

What is Efflorescence?

There is a chance that after a few weeks or months pass, a white haze may appear on the surface of the pavers. This is known as efflorescence. It may appear randomly or in certain areas, and will be more pronounced on dark colored pavers. The white haze may give the impressionthat the color of the pavers is fading. When wet, the white disappears and the color of the pavers is enhanced. When they dry, the white haze reappears.

Efflorescence is completely natural and will disappear in time

There’s no reason to be concerned that your pavers are damaged or defective. The concrete pavers are experiencing a natural process. It is a condition in allcement- based products, as well as in many other paving products. But the condition will usually correct itself with time and exposure to the elements.

The chemistry of efflorescence

All concrete products contain cement which produces lime or water soluble calcium oxide. Lime can also be in the bedding sand, aggregate base materials, or soil. Although concrete pavers are solid, strong, and very dense, they contain millions of microscopic capillaries that run from the interior to the surface. Moisture from rain, sprinkler systems, underground sources, poor site drainage, or dew enters these microscopic capillaries. Calcium oxide inside the paver reacts with the water in the capillaries and forms calcium hydroxide. This rises to the surface, reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air, and forms a white haze of calcium carbonate.

Eliminating efflorescence

Most producers of pavers put chemical additives in the concrete to reduce the likelihood of efflorescence. In most cases, they do the job. Completely eliminating the chance of efflorescence, however, isn’t possible because it’s a natural byproduct of hardened concrete. It will stop when no more calcium hydroxide is available to move to the surface.

There are cleaners available that can remove efflorescence. These will enhance the natural beauty of your concrete paver project. Consult your paver supplier to find an appropriate cleaner. This rises to the surface, reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air, and forms a white haze of calcium carbonate. When moisture on the surface evaporates, the white haze of efflorescence becomes visible.